Nova Scotia’s premier has apologized for some of the province’s budget cuts after some “soul-searching” and announced his government will restore funding and grants to certain areas after days of protests and outcry.
“Some of the decisions, we got it wrong, and for that, I’m sorry,” Premier Tim Houston said during a Tuesday news conference.
“Because the legislature is still reviewing the budget, we have the opportunity to make adjustments before it’s finalized and we’re going to do just that.”
Houston said his government will be reinstating $21.4 million in grants to support seniors and people with disabilities, as well as programs that assist African Nova Scotian and Indigenous people in accessing educational opportunities.
Another $10 million will be reinstated for organizations that support these groups and $22.2 million in funding for community programs will be re-established.
He added that the changes mean the deficit will now stand at $1.24 billion before contingency.
“I never want Nova Scotians to feel like their government is working against them,” he said, adding that his government “moved too quickly trying to respond to financial challenges.”
Nova Scotia’s original 2026-27 budget reduced or eliminated more than 280 grants across multiple government departments as the province aimed to save about $130 million while projecting a deficit of roughly $1.2 billion.
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The reductions affected a range of programs, including scholarships, arts funding and initiatives supporting Mi’kmaw and Black and African Nova Scotian communities. As well, the province announced it was closing 12 provincial museums and several tourist information centres.
The budget also included a five per cent yearly cut in the civil service and a three per cent cut in public service and Crown corporations, all of which were projected to save $95 million.
Over the last week, hundreds of people have taken part in several rallies outside Province House. Protests have involved members of the arts, Indigenous, and African Nova Scotian communities, as well as environmental groups.
Houston acknowledged Tuesday that his latest announcement didn’t include the arts community.
“You are valued,” he said to the community, adding that the $66 million in the original budget for the sector remains the same.
“I do wish we could do more today and I sincerely mean that but it’s my hope that as we grow the economy, we can get back to a place where we can once again do more.”
Opposition NDP Leader Claudia Chender said Tuesday’s announcement shows the government is “in chaos” and pointed out “there are so many cruel cuts that remain in this budget.”
“(The reversal) is not going to impact arts and culture and all of the devastating cuts in the area. And that’s not going fix the people who have had to undergo so much concern and heartbreak and in some cases loss of livelihood and recreation during this time,” Chender said in a video on social media.
“We know that organizations like Autism Nova Scotia have had to lay people off. In some cases, people who are autistic self-advocates. We know that caregivers have had to wonder where their loved ones are going to end up if they can’t be supported. So this is just not okay. This is a terrible way of doing things.”
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Protesters gather again
More than 1,000 people gathered outside the legislature Tuesday afternoon for yet another rally.
Organizers of the one-hour demonstration invited members of all affected sectors to call on the government to “go back to the drawing board” on the budget.
Sadie Beaton, one of the protest organizers, said Houston’s reversal on a few cuts is insufficient.
“Bringing back a few programs does not answer the breadth of what’s being asked for from Nova Scotians,” said Beaton.
Those who work in the arts said it’s disappointing to see the cuts in their sector have not been reversed and are concerned about the devastating impacts.
Franziska Glen, the co-artistic director at Gale Force Theatre, said art spaces are losing about 20 to 30 per cent of their funding, making it “nearly impossible to continue to operate as planned.”
She anticipates job losses — potentially her own.
“I think MLAs need to remember who they work for, and it’s us, the people who elected them,” she said.
“I think people need to know that they were elected to serve us, their constituents, in all of the ridings across the province. And every riding in this province is going to be affected by these cuts. It’s the local museums, it’s the arts programming after school, it is senior care … it’s everything. Everybody is affected in this province. No one is getting away unscathed.”
Protesters said they plan on organizing more rallies and making their voices heard until more concessions are made.
So he caved. I was actually praising the dude for actually having the gall to do thebright thing then he back pedals to the minorities. Pathetic.